ArmenPress
Sept 21 2004

SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA,H.E. MR. ROBERT
KOCHARYAN ON THE OCCASION OF THE 13TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE OF
THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

Your Holiness,
Dear compatriots,
Dear guests,
I congratulate our people and all those present on the occasion of
Independence Day. Today’s Armenia is an established state with ever
growing tendency of deepening market reforms, democratic transitions
and international integration. The choice of our people brought us to
a new domain.
As a result of the implemented systemic reforms our country has
experienced obvious progress. Armenia today is defined in terms of
sustainable economic growth and regular implementation of the state
budget. It is visible that small and medium businesses are more
active. Most of these results are directed at social sector and the
main problem today is the elimination of poverty. Precise
implementation of that program is the duty of all of us.
We prioritize balanced development of all our regions (marzes),
evolvement of the middle class and deepening our democracy. The
formula of the further advancement of Armenia is based on the pillars
of the rule of law, effective governance, fair competition and
extended employment opportunities. Those challenges are typical of
the current stage of Armenia’s development. They also represent the
world processes currently underway.
In foreign policy our country has a precise strategy: to
strengthen the credibility of our country abroad by furthering
relations in all directions. Armenia brings its contribution to the
international fight against terrorism, which nowadays has a most
urgent meaning.
Protection of peace in our complex region is a vital issue. We
consider that the key to it is in multilateral cooperation between
all countries of the region. On the issue of Nagorno Karabagh we
remain committed to the principle of peaceful settlement. Such
settlement shall be based on the objective realities that came forth
after the collapse of USSR. Particularly it shall be based on the
unquestionable reality of existence of NKR.
The Armenian Armed forces are an important component of the
security of the Armenian people and of the peace in the region.
Formation of the Armed forces and the current level of combat
preparedness are an historic achievement of our people. At the
foundation of our Army are heroes, whose feat made our country a
stable state and the motherland of all Armenians.
On the occasion of this important day I also congratulate
Armenians from around the world. The Republic of Armenia is the
herald of the feelings and goals of all segments of the Armenian
people. It has already undertaken its mission of addressing the
issues of pan-Armenian scale.
I once again congratulate all of us on the occasion of the 13th
Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Armenia. Establishment
of free, prosperous and powerful Armenia has been a dream for many
generations. Our generation got the opportunity to implement the most
decisive phase of that dream. We fulfill that historic responsibility
with honor for the glory of Armenia and our people.
Thank you.